Bridgeport High School Baseball Coach Robert Shields is already known for winning. The long-time head of the Indians baseball program has won seven straight state championships and nine overall since he started in the late 1980s.

 

The seven in a row is a state record he holds all by himself. Now, the coach has a chance to have another first as a baseball coach. (The trick has been done by former legends track and field/cross country Coach Jon Griffith and academic coach Barb Judy, along with current legendary swim Coach Jan Grisso)

 

Shields will be going for two titles in one school calendar year in a different manner. There is a problem, however, with an attempt to win a pair – Shields has no control over one of them and it is already under way and unlike the coaches listed above, one of them is not a WVSSAC or school sanctioned competition.

 

For the first time, Shields will not be trying to win as a coach. He will be trying to win as a scarecrow. And he will not be bringing a title to BHS, but rather to a downtown Bridgeport business.

 

Sound confusing? Wondering what is going on?

 

No need, I will explain. And for those of you looking for something serious, this blog is all about fun and a pair of former Bridgeport players who hold an admiration for their former coach.

 

That admiration is playing out for thousands to see each day in the most unique way. For those paying attention NFM Lending’s Patrick Oliverio and Mark Harrison, who operate the still relatively new business on Main Street, decided to take part in the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport Scarecrow event.

 

For those that do not know, the ABB has its member businesses decorate utility poles with scarecrows. The ABB then teams with Connect-Bridgeport for a contest where a poll is picked to determine the champion of scarecrows.

 

So, what does this have to do with Shields? Glad you asked.

 

The NFM scarecrow is a BHS baseball player, and the head is a photo of Shields. It has already drawn plenty of attention and has NFM close to the top of the voting so far.

 

“We actually decided to go with Robert as our scarecrow the day of the deadline,” said Oliverio. “Mark and I were thinking what we were going to do, and we first thought of Bob Huggins. We couldn’t come up with any Huggins’ slogans and then it hit us. We went with ‘Robert’s scary good and we’re scary good’ and went from there.”

 

Shields got a kick, and continues to get a kick, out of being a scarecrow.

 

“You’d be surprised about the number of calls and texts I’ve gotten about it,” said Shields. “The other day it rained, and people called me letting me know they needed to replace my picture because it got wet.”

 

It may be the first time for Shields as a scarecrow, but it is not the first time someone put BHS clothes on and pretended to be the coach. Shields remembers that as well.

 

“One time my (Patrick’s brother) Carlo dressed as me at Halloween and my friend Tommy Lopez has dressed up as me too,” said Shields. “I know it’s all in good humor, especially when the guys doing it support you.”

 

Make no mistake, Oliverio and Harrison are huge supporters of Shields. Shields is well aware of it.

 

“They’re two of my biggest supporters. I don’t think I’ve had a season go by when I don’t hear from Mark or Patrick several times,” said Shields. “They shoot a text, or call, after a big game and have always been supportive. When you have alumni, former players, that you end up being friends with it makes this type of thing a lot of fun.”

 

It seems like most of the Oliverio family has played for Shields. Carlo, Trey and Patrick all played from the time of 2003 to 2012. The Bonamico boys – Nunzio, Anthony and Dante – are also part of the family and all played for Shields.

 

“Robert and my dad (Pat) grew up together and went to Notre Dame together. When I grew up, around age 7, we were going to Bridgeport games and was watching his teams,” said Oliverio. “When I was going into Little League, all we could think of was playing on that field and it was cool the coach knew me because of my dad. We became close at a young age. Mark, Robert, and I have been friends for a while.”

 

The only downside? Oliverio said Shields got his titles before and after he and Harrison’s high school run.

 

“I told Mark, that Robert hasn’t lost a title in seven years, and we might be the first loss for Robert in a long time. Mark looked at me and said, ‘he never won with either of us so maybe we’re the ones.’ Hopefully, we’ll get him a title we’re involved with as a scarecrow,” said Oliverio.

 

That would suit Shields fine. He said he, like countless others, loves what he sees each fall with the contest. However, he did draw the line on whether this run at a title will count for or against his ongoing streak of championships.

 

“We’re going to definitely be separating them,” said Shields. “We’ll keep it to baseball, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Mark and Patrick’s business get a win. That would be great.”

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom file photos of Coach Robert Shields by Ben Queen Photography. Middle photo is of Mark Harrison, left, and Patrick Oliverio outside of their Main Street business and beside the "Shields" scarecrow.